Moree, NSW
Moree is often in the news for crime rather than it’s artesian pools, river walks, greenspaces, ANZAC history and famous Freedom Ride of 1965. I think this is a real shame.
I had been looking forward to trying the artesian springs in Moree for many years but have never quite gotten there for various reasons.
Of course, we were aware of the crime and safety issues in Moree but not the beauty and history of the small town found in the Gwydir Valley of Northern NSW on the banks of the Mehi River.
We rode our bikes around the river precinct and were surprised by the picturesque surroundings with people enjoying the area fishing and relaxing. We made our way to the ANZAC Centenary Park honouring locals who served Australia and the British Empire during the 1st world war. (Unfortunately, the Moree War Memorial Hall was closed while we were there).
The Moree locals enlisted around 1916 and went to Armidale for basic training and became the first 33rd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Battalion. This enlistment march became known as the Kurrajong march (named from the Kurrajong tree grown around Moree). The memorial avenue is lined with Kurrajong trees which I think is a beautiful and fitting tribute to these local soldiers.
As I rode through the park, stopping to read the plaques I could only imagine the pride the people of Moree would have felt as these boys, men and women went off to war – many never returning ….
We wandered down the main street and found a couple of lovely little boutiques as well a fabulous shop called Assef’s. WOW! What a find – it had fabulous men’s and ladies’ clothes, hats, shoes, workwear plus so much more. They even had a cute homeware section at the back of the store. Here I am in a Jayco Lark with absolutely no more room for anything else, so I had to leave empty-handed.
Because of the safety concerns in Moree we chose to stay at a gated caravan park – Moree Tourist Park which is part of the G’Day group. The managers were friendly and the amenities old but fairly clean. Having a laundry was a bonus so we caught up on some washing (because we don’t take much stuff due to limited space). Best of all it had a hot* and cold spa (for adults only). In case you think the park wasn’t kid-friendly, there was also a pool for them. For those travelling with their fur-babies, it was also dog friendly. *Note that this wasn’t an artesian spa.
Well, I finally got to go to the Moree Aquatic Centre (which was underegoing some renovations) where I was hoping to cure all of my aches and pains and come out a new and younger version of myself. At only $5 each the pool (both hot and cold) was awesome but sadly, I am still the same old trainee grey nomad, and my aches and pains are still there. The hot pool was really, bloody hot – around 41 degrees. I now know how a lobster feels getting cooked! I could only stay in it for about 5 minutes and not the recommended 15 which is maybe why I didn’t come out a newer version of myself!
We were only in Moree for two nights so really only got a quick ‘tourist’ glimpse of the town and its culture but it’s such a shame that Moree is better known for its crime than other attributes.
We spoke to a few local residents, and I felt they were embarrassed by the current reputation of their town, and I found this very sad. I couldn’t help comparing the pride that Moree people would have had in the lead up to WW1 when their young men and women became the 33rd AIF Battalion.
At the memorial avenue, there was information on the Railway Station which opened in 1897 (see the photo of the plaque) and I couldn’t help laughing at the quote in the Maitland Daily Mercury:
Complaints were reported in the article of ‘considerable inconveniences’ due to lack of staff, leading to major delays while the animals were loaded and the single porter ‘being run off his feet and having to go without his dinner’.
Here we are in 2024 and there are still staff shortages in many regional Australian towns. Maybe the grey nomads of the day could have worked on the road back then as well - perhaps they already did under a different name - “Swagmen”. Dictionary definition: a person carrying a swag or bundle of belongings.
